WATCHDOG GROUP SAYS CHANCES OF STATE INCOME TAX ARE 'ZERO'

TALLAHASSEE -- Florida voters are not ready to accept a personal income tax because they lack confidence in state government, a tax watchdog group said on Tuesday.

Members of the state's Taxation and Budget Reform Commission have launched a study of two income tax proposals that could go to voters next year. But chances of a state income tax passing are "zip, zero, none," said Dominic Calabro, president of Florida TaxWatch.

"It's OK to talk about, but the public's not (ready)," Calabro said. "The (sales tax on services) is much more acceptable to the public than a personal income tax. And the sales tax could go up one or two more percentage points."

Florida's statewide sales tax is currently six cents on the dollar but can be increased by the Legislature. Some counties, including Broward, have voted to impose a local seventh cent.

A personal income tax is prohibited by the state Constitution and could only be imposed by the voters.

Before state government considers more taxes Calabro said it must build the case for new taxes while it continues to cut the size of government.

"I don't think the general voter is so convinced of the efficiency of government that he'll demand a tax increase," Calabro said.

Indeed a recent statewide TaxWatch poll showed 59 percent of the voters want to see tax and budget reforms adopted by the Legislature before any new or increased taxes are considered. The same poll revealed nearly two-thirds of the voters think state government wastes one of every five tax dollars it collects.